The Present Church

A great religious revival in 1842 had started a movement to build a new church. Wealthy shipowners, captains, local businessmen and church members of lesser means supported the effort. Sag Harbor was at the height of its prosperity in the 1840's. Sixty-three whaling ships called this home port and over 1,800 men were employed in the whaling industry, which brought millions of dollars to the village.

Minard Lafever, one of the nation's leading architects, was commissioned to design the building. The property was bought for $2,000 and the building without the furnishings cost $17,000. The church was dedicated on May 16, 1844, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1994 the church was named a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Dept, of the Interior.